Day 78 - Sunday, August 17 - Wild West Rodeo Daze

We got up early so we could go to the A&W for breakie before the day started.   Thinking of the Smiths and the A&W!  We got there at 7:20 am and it was already busy.  Off to the arena for an 8 am start for the Draft Horse Futurity.  Well we were the only ones there, other than the maintenance man and he said late starts on a Sunday are normal around there.  So we took a walk out to where the horses and rigs were, but no sign of any heavy horses.  Hmmm, well we went back and there were some people there and it looked like something was going to happen soon.  The first class finally came in - 2 year old halter horses.  Nice looking animals, very well groomed and big.  

There were 7 horses in the class all together.  The yellow horse in the picture was the one that won the class - Dan picked him as the winner as well. 

The rodeo slack started at 11 am so we wanted to be there for that as well.  They had a large number of entries that's for sure.  

Jr. Boys Steer Riding

Lots of entries for the Calf Roping and some good times too.

Steer Wrestling 

Entries from all over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.  The slack didn't finish until about 2:30 pm so now quickly get back to camp, get organized and get back by 4:30 for the 5:30 perf.   Too early for supper so we'll eat after.  

Just prior to the perf the thunder rolled and the rains came in a blast, but then it was over before the rodeo started.  Good thing!

The perf was good.  They had the Draft Horse Rail Class and the High Point Winner crowned tonight as well.  It was very good and kind of amazing to see the 2 year olds so well schooled under harness. The yellow horse that Dan picked earlier ended up being The overall Futurity Winner.  He won second in the obstacles, first in the halter class and second in the rail class - good looking horse with size and ability. 

The performance was good with the top cowboys and cowgirls competing!   They had 24 little sheep riders during intermission - it was cute but a few too many kids for the number if sheep they had.  The sheep herder had an awesome border collie named Star, and he was a star, working the sheep and bringing them back to the pen and then loading them when done.  Those dogs are a pleasure to watch while they are working. 

The Bull Riding was tough - the bulls were top notch and bucked every cowboy off!  All in all it was a great two days of rodeo - there is something we enjoy about the smell of a rodeo arena - a mixture of sweet hay, straw bedding, dirt and cow / horse poop!  Mmm, good!  Just can't get that anywhere else.